The Heroes' Journey Begins (in Merivale)

Dec 11, 2025 7:28 am

@timplausible: Yes, you've got it! Nicely done!!!

Kessa strikes quickly, catching the rodent of unusual size from his blind side. The beast lets out a bloodcurdling shriek and spins its red eyes to face you, its large teeth and fetid breath only inches from your face.

Dec 12, 2025 8:57 am

htech Inactive for 18 days

As the Goblins close in, Vilde stands alone facing the three from the west. They land on her as a group, the one with the still smoldering patch on his chest leading the charge. Fortunately for the mage, the first goblin stumbles over the tree roots she's taken sanctuary among and its blow sails wide. The other two hit home, however, and she nearly drops - a last minute defense just barely keeping her on her feet. (Vilde is at 9/10 HP)

On the east side, the ratrider and his mount strike out at Kessa, attempting to trample her underfoot as they try to create separation before their next attack. Meanwhile the remaining two square off against Thorne and Caldra.

Kessa deftly steps out of the way of the rampaging rodent, but the rider catches her with a sweeping slash that strikes for 6 points of damage.

Due to his preparation, Thorne is able to maneuver his foe into a position of bad footing and easily avoids the clumsy blow.

The last Goblin faces down the Oathsworn, teeth bared, thinking of the rain of blows Caldra attempted to land on its leader, and delivers a blow for 7 points of damage.

GM Note: You can pre-spend actions from your next turn to perform Heroic Reactions, the limit being only one of each type per turn.

Rolls

Goblin #1 Attack - (1d6+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

Goblin #2 Attack - (1d6+2)

(3) + 2 = 5

Goblin #3 Attack (Advantage) - (2d6+2)

(56) + 2 = 13

Goblin #4 vs Thorne - (1d6+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

Goblin #5 vs Caldra - (1d6+2)

(5) + 2 = 7

Ratrider vs Kessa atk #1 - (1d6+2)

(4) + 2 = 6

Ratrider vs Kessa atk #2 - (1d6+2)

(1) + 2 = 3

Thorne Underbough

Dec 12, 2025 12:42 pm

Thorne sees it all in a heartbeat—the ratrider’s sweeping arc toward Kessa, Caldra locking the rider’s attention with shield and fury, and on the opposite flank Vilde nearly dropping as three snarling shapes descend upon her.

Kessa can handle him. Caldra’s got her back and serves as a much needed distraction for Kessa’s attacks. - he thinks

Vilde, though—Vilde is seconds from being overrun.

Thorne pivots. The goblin at his flank lunges, but he’s already moving—the hunter slips aside weaving through roots and underbrush, dagger sliding free from its sheath with a soft, dangerous whisper.

OOC:

Action 1: Move

Note to self: A hero can sheathe weapons or shields they are proficient with and even equip a different one for free 1/round (Core rules, pg. 33)

His eyes fix on the goblin who stumbled at Vilde’s feet—the one whose chest still smolders from her spell, off-balance and exposed.

"That one," he mutters under his breath, marking it.

OOC:

Action 2: Hunter's Mark

He closes the distance in a low, controlled rush and drives his dagger toward the creature with the precision of a man who ends fights swiftly and without hesitation.

OOC:

Action 3: Attack

Last edited December 12, 2025 1:01 pm

Rolls

Dagger vs Quarry - (2d4h1+2, RA)

(31) + 2 = 5

Dec 12, 2025 2:53 pm

Thorne's target, completely focused on the task of removing Vilde from this mortal coil, doesn't see the hunter until after his blade is buried in the creature's heart. It drops to the ground almost immediately, the look of shock and surprise frozen on its face for all eternity. The other two Goblins immediately take a step back and prepare to square off against the two heroes.

Dec 12, 2025 8:14 pm

timplausible Inactive for 19 days

Vilde gives Thorne a quick nod and weak smile as she casts another flame dart at the nearest Goblin, nearly toppling over from the effort but regaining her balance and as the spell coalesces and leaves her hands in a blazing bolt. This time it hits her target square in the face, singeing of most of the creature's hair and leaving what's left smoldering in a putrid haze.

Rolls

Flame Dart (1d10) - (1d10)

(10) = 10

Kessa

Dec 13, 2025 12:10 am

Psybermagi Inactive for 15 days

Kessa rolls away from the goblin's slash strikes Kessa's hide armor and she rolls with the blow. The heavy stike still manages to leave a mark.

OOC:

Kessa will use a reaction to Defend, absorbing 5 of the 6 damage.

Is Caldra still adjacent to the rat & rider? Or just the goblins attacking her? I still have 2 more actions, but want to know the lay of the land.

Last edited December 13, 2025 12:11 am

Dec 13, 2025 1:30 am

Psybermagi Inactive for 15 days

OOC:

Caldra should be by the rest rider
Will post in character when I get home

Caldra

Dec 13, 2025 3:09 am

Caldra blocks the goblin attacks as best she can before retaliating as she attempts to keep the goblins focused on her

OOC:

Defend 7-8=0, Create Opening, Attack

[ +- ] Radiant Judgment : 12

Last edited December 13, 2025 3:13 am

Rolls

Radiant Judgement : 0 - (2d6)

(66) = 12

Insight : Create an Opening by reading intent/body language: DC 12 - (1d20+4)

(13) + 4 = 17

Mace (1d6+2+12 Radiant Judgement) - (2d6h1+2+12)

(33) + 14 = 17

Dec 13, 2025 7:40 am

@timplausible: After attacking Kessa, the ratrider moved away to circle back for another strike. You can also use a reaction to make an Opportunity Attack before it gets out of reach. It looks like there's only one Gobbo left next to you after Caldra decimated the other one. :)

Dec 13, 2025 7:49 am

Caldra brings down her mace in final judgement on one of the Goblins adjacent to her, an overhead slam that literally pancakes it into the ground where it lies motionless. Seeing that, the one squaring off against Kessa begins to back away, its courage faltering.

"Get 'em you useless gits! You're worse than a gaggle of Gerblings!" the ratrider taunts as he circles preparing for a charge.

Dec 13, 2025 9:01 pm

htech Inactive for 18 days

The Scene:
* On the Westside, two of the three Goblins that attacked Vilde are still kicking (although one is badly hurt) and they are engaged with Thorne & Vilde.

* On the Eastside, only one of the two Goblin footsoldiers is still standing, and after seeing Caldra turn his friend into cioppino, he seems to seriously be reconsidering his life choices. Caldra and Kessa are currently squaring off with him.

* A move away, the Goblin ratrider is spurring his beast on, preparing to charge. He and his mount have taken some superficial wounds, but seem like they're still in it to win it.

Kessa, you have two actions left for this turn after defending. What do you do?

Dec 13, 2025 9:13 pm

timplausible Inactive for 19 days

OOC:

While we await Kessa's attacks, can you describe the dead goblin in more detail? More specifically, what weapon did he have? Can I assume it was a short sword and that I'll be able to use it with my dagger, dual wielding in the next round?

Kessa

Dec 13, 2025 9:43 pm

OOC:

Kessa will attack the rat as ut moves away. She wants to bring it down.

So, an opportunity attack is at disadvantage. I will use dual weilding to give that attack advantage, for even odds.

Oo. That's a crit. So +1d6. And... 13 damage to the rat again. Sorry if this causes a retcon to the descriptions.

Kessa will then use her last action to try to avoid danger - using Stealth to slip back into the shadows.

Last edited December 13, 2025 9:47 pm

Rolls

Opp. attack - (1d4+2, RA)

(43) + 2 = 9

crit bonus - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Avoid danger (stealth) - (1d20+4)

(14) + 4 = 18

Dec 14, 2025 8:28 am

Kessa strikes as the ratrider turns and begins to race away, her blade lodging in the Goblin's side before the momentum of his mount causes it to tear through his flesh, leaving a horrible looking wound. He clasps at his side, wobbling in the saddle as he crosses the clearing and turns round to face you all once more. Even in the poor light, you can tell from his body language that he won't be able to withstand much more.

Thorne, still squaring off against one of the two westside Goblins, glances back over his shoulder and spies the wreckage of the Goblin Caldra nearly drove into the ground, his eye landing on the shortsword still clutched in the creature's lifeless hand.

GM Note: Kessa, take a Hero Coin for Making the Most of an Opportunity! Nicely done!

Dec 14, 2025 11:57 am

Assessing the situation, Vilde tries to find a spot higher up on the tree roots to make it harder for the Goblins to attack her, but fails miserably. (Assess: Anticipate Danger [Perception])

Rolls

Assess: Anticipate Danger [Perception +2] - (1d20+2)

(3) + 2 = 5

Dec 14, 2025 12:07 pm

htech Inactive for 18 days

"Wot are you waitin' for? Get 'em or I'll get you!" the ratrider exhorts his comrades. The one who seemed to be faltering, caught between two hard places, screws up his courage and strikes out against Kessa not wanting to get any closer to the Oathsworn than absolutely necessary. However Kessa's elusiveness proves too much for him, and his blow finds nothing but empty air.

The two westside Goblins continue to press their attacks against Thorne and Vilde, the one with the smoking hair and a smoldering grudge focusing on the mage.

As soon as he's convinced his companions are engaging the heroes, the ratrider bolts into the woods and disappears in the shadows.

GM Note: Heroes can react. Once any reactions are done, it will be your turn again.

Rolls

Goblin #4 vs Kessa - (1d6+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

Goblin #1 vs Vilde - (1d6+2)

(4) + 2 = 6

Goblin #3 vs Thorne - (1d6+2)

(3) + 2 = 5

Thorne Underbough

Dec 14, 2025 12:29 pm

Psybermagi Inactive for 15 days

GM says:

Thorne's target, completely focused on the task of removing Vilde from this mortal coil, doesn't see the hunter until after his blade is buried in the creature's heart. It drops to the ground almost immediately, the look of shock and surprise frozen on its face for all eternity.

Thorne doesn’t pause to admire his kill. As the goblin collapses at his feet, he plants a boot on the corpse’s chest and yanks his dagger free in one smooth motion, grabbing the creature’s blade simultaneously. Sword in one hand, dagger in the other, he turns back toward the remaining pair without pause.

GM says:

The two westside Goblins continue to press their attacks against Thorne and Vilde, the one with the smoking hair and a smoldering grudge focusing on the mage.

Thorne parries the attack, marks the creature as his target and fights back. His sword goes high — enough to draw the creature’s guard—while the dagger flashes in from the side in a brutal, efficient slash aimed to finish him.

[ +- ] Dual wielding different weapons, Core rules pg. 34

OOC:

Defend/parry (Action 1, 5 - 5 = 0 damage taken), Hunter's quarry (2), dual wield attack ( 3)

Edit: I choose the 12 damage (4+4+2+2) from the dagger crit

Last edited December 14, 2025 9:35 pm

Rolls

Dagger + Shortsword (Advantage 1) - (1d4+2, 2d6h1+2)

1d4+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

2d6h1+2 : (26) + 2 = 8

Critical - (1d6)

(1) = 1

Critical (dagger) - (1d4, RA)

(42) = 6

Caldra

Dec 14, 2025 8:40 pm

Moving to defend Kessa, Caldra interposes herself and blocks the attack before returning their blow with her owne, filled with judgment on the vile creature. Calling to her comrades she encourages them. Strike down their leader! Do not let him flee once again.

OOC:

Interpose => Radiant Judgement 7, Defend = 0 damage taken, attack 1d6+2+7

Last edited December 14, 2025 8:41 pm

Rolls

Radiant Judgement : 0 - (2d6)

(52) = 7

Mace - (1d6+9)

(4) + 9 = 13

Dec 14, 2025 10:56 pm